India Map

Explore map of India, officially known as the Republic of India. India, which is located in the South Asia is the largest democracy of the world. It is the 7th largest country by area in world and the 2nd most populous country. The Indian Peninsula is bordered by India Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the south-west, and the Bay of Bengal on the south-east. India shares its land border with Pakistan to the west; China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the north-east; and Burma and Bangladesh to the east.

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About India Map

:-India is a diverse country - an eclectic mix of languages, cultures, landforms, and traditions. The Map of India plots the varied landforms including the northern and coastal mountains, the central plateau region and the many valleys of the country. The most important cities of India, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Jaipur, and Lucknow are shown on the map along with the numerous places which attract international tourists. The Vaishno Devi Temple of Jammu, the Golden Temple of Amritsar, Red Fort in Delhi, Taj Mahal in Agra, Hawa Mahal in Jaipur, Khajuraho and Ajanta Caves, the Konark Sun Temple, and the Gateway of India attract the most footfall in the country. The beaches of Goa, the backwaters of Kerala, the national parks of Madhya Pradesh, and the deserts of Rajasthan are preferred tourist hotspots. The map also shows major highways that connect different parts of the country, major airports and ports and the highest peaks in India.

History
People have lived in India for almost 75,000 years, from the early Indus Valley civilization. From around 1500 BC to 500 BC the Vedic civilization existed in Northern India, known for the creation of the Vedas, sacred texts of the Hindu religion.

In 520 BC, the Persian Achaemenid Empire conquered the Northwest subcontinent, under the leadership of Darius the Great. The empire lasted two centuries, until Alexander the Great took control of the Achaemenid Empire. The Achaemenid Empire was followed by the large and powerful Mauryan Dynasty, lasting from 322 BC to 185 BC.

In 1526, Babur established Mughal Empire, an imperial power that grew to include the regions of modern-day India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. His son, Humayun succeeded him, and the Mughal dynasty lasted until 1857, though it shrank and weakened long before that time. The Mughal Empire was one of the largest and richest empires in Indian history.

During the Mughal Empire, European explorers began arriving in India, beginning with the Portuguese in 1498, and soon followed by the Dutch, British, and French. European traders began establishing settlements and trading posts in India, as per an arrangement with the Mughal leaders. The British East India Company gained influence in India around 1600. During a period of instability in India, with the Carnatic Wars beginning in 1746, Britain then began to acquire territory in India, soon controlling much of the region. In 1857, India revolted against the British East India Company, but the British government then took control of the Company and India became a Crown territory.

The period of British control, known as British Raj, led India through conflicts and famines, including the Great Famine of

1876-1878. Dissatisfaction with British rule brought India together, and with their new unified front, Indians began their movement toward independence, with Indian leaders like the freedom fighters. When Britain was weakened from its efforts in the World Wars, the movements for India's freedom were successful.

With independence in mid-August of 1947 came the partition of the nation into India and Pakistan. This partition led to religious conflict and increased migration between India and Pakistan for primarily religious reasons. India adopted its new constitution in 1950, establishing the nation as secular and democratic.

Geography
India is the seventh largest nation in the world, covering most of the Indian subcontinent in South Asia. As a peninsula, India is surrounded on three sides by the Indian Ocean, with the Arabian Sea along the west, and the Bay of Bengal along the east. India borders Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, and Bangladesh, and a border with Afghanistan is claimed by the Indian government, but disputed. Sri Lanka and the Maldives are located just off the southern tip of India. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the Lakshadweep Islands are union territories of Indian territory.

One of India's major geographic features is the Himalayas, the world's highest mountain range. Other terrains in India include plains, plateaus and hills. The Thar Desert is among the largest deserts in the world. Major rivers in India include the Ganges, Indus, and Brahmaputra Rivers.

Polities
India is governed by a parliamentary republic, with a president and prime minister as the head of state and the head of government. The president is elected by the electoral college, and the prime minister is appointed by the president. The president and prime minister are assisted by the cabinet, called the Council of Ministers, which is led by the prime minister.
The bicameral Parliament (Sansad) is divided into two houses. The upper house is called the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the lower house is the People's Assembly (Lok Sabha). India follows a multi-party system, with six recognized national parties.

India is divided into twenty-nine states in five zones, each with a Zonal Council, and seven union territories. Each Indian state is governed at is state capital, and can be further divided into districts and sub-districts, and in some areas blocks, villages, municipalities or other smaller divisions.

The union territories of India are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, National Capital Territory (Delhi), and Pondicherry. Two of the union territories, Delhi and Pondicherry, are partial-states. The other five union territories are governed by administrators appointed by the president.

Travel
India offers travelers adventures and a unique cultural experience. Rich foods, packed cities, and colorful bazaars characterize the cities of India, like the chaotic capital, Delhi. Tourists in India's cities can experience the local culture, witness religious ceremonies and see the many places of worship, check out sites from India's long history, taste the flavors of each region's cuisine, and find a different way of life.

For more serene destinations, many travelers to India stop by Agra to visit the world-famous Taj Mahal, and while there check out the ornamental Red Fort. Royal palaces and mansions are popular destinations, like City Palace in Udaipur. Away from India's bustling cities, tourists will find national parks, like Mudumalai National Park, where visitors can go on safari to see wild animals, or travel along the scenic coastlines to enjoy the beautiful views and warm waters.

Traveling in India is a multifaceted experience with plenty of options and adventures awaiting.

Education
Education in India is managed at both the central government and state government levels, and is administered by local governments. India's education system has been steadily improving throughout recent history, with increasing attendance and literacy rates. Both public and private education is available in India, but public institutions dominate the education system. More than one-quarter of students attend private schools in India.

Indian students attend elementary schools from age six through fourteen, which is available for free to all students. Secondary education in India is for students ages fourteen through eighteen, and curriculum often focuses on science and technology, as well as professional and vocational training.

The National Council of Educational Research and Training is the government organization that handles academic matters in India. Several curriculum programs are available in India, including the general state government boards, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the Council for the Indian School Certificate Exams (CISCE), the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), and International Baccalaureate schools.

Students who continue to higher education in India have a wide variety of nationally and often globally recognized schools to choose from. India has many technology institutes and universities that focus on medicine and science.

Trivia

India is the world's most populous democracy.

The Indian Ocean is the warmest ocean in the world.

Indira Gandhi was the first woman elected head of democratic nation.

India was the only formal colony of any empire to have been divided before it was handed over to the independent nation.

The most expensive personal residence in the world, called Antilia, is located in Mumbai, India, and is worth $1 billion.

Hindustan Motors' Ambassador car is the oldest car still in regular production, first produced in 1958.

India is famous for its diverse culture and climates. Four of the world's major religions-Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism-originated here. The Indian economy is the world's eleventh-largest by nominal GDP and third-largest by purchasing power parity (PPP).

The National Flag of India is a horizontal rectangular tricolor with Saffron at the top, White in the middle and Green at the bottom, and the Ashok Chakra, a 24-spoke wheel, in navy blue at its centre. The Indian Flag was officially adopted on 22 July 1947.